The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka yesterday rejected charges leveled against them by the Corruption Watch organization saying that there had not been any impropriety in the Lanka Government Network (LGN) established by them.
“A Company named Asset Networks never signed a contract on behalf of Samsung Networks for the LGN,” head of communication at the ICTA Atula Pushpakumara said.
He stated that the contract for the establishment of Lanka Government Network (LGN) was signed between ICTA and Samsung Networks in 2006, consequent to a transparent and competitive bidding process governed by the Korean Government EDCF procurement guidelines.
“There were more than two companies which submitted bids for LGN in 2005. Samsung Networks bid was NOT the highest bid, as incorrectly stated in the Article. In contrast Samsung Networks’ bid WAS the ‘Lowest Evaluated Bid’ for the LGN,” he said.
“There was no company called “Asset Networks” associated with the tender. All bidders were Korean Companies. A review of the LGN Bidding process and ICTA’s Samsung contract would demonstrate that the company referred to in your paper, named ‘Asset Networks,’ has nothing to do with this project. ICTA enquiries have revealed that since the inception of ICTA in May 2003 it has never signed any contract with a company named ‘Asset Networks.’
“ICTA Board of Directors and Management would welcome an inquiry into this allegation. An impartial inquiry would reveal that there was no corruption on the part of ICTA or the e-Sri Lanka project in connection with this matter,” Pushpakumara said.